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Some argue pastel is Brazil’s favorite snack food. We like to think it is the Pão de Queijo. Nevertheless whenever I fly home a pastel de queijo is one of the first things on my ‘to eat’ list. You will find them at farmer’s market as huge rectangles or in bars and restaurant in a…

While looking through the recipes for Brazilian sweet treats my American friends like the most I realized that a lot of them are based on condensed milk: Paçoca, Mango Mousse, Manjar Branco, Avocado Cream. I guess it is the definite proof that Brazilians have a sweet tooth. So, here is another one: Palha Brasileira or…

Brigadeiros are often described as a cross between a truffle and a fudge. A favorite treat at kid’s birthday parties in Brazil, the original version is made with condensed milk and chocolate. In the 1940’s during Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes’ run for president the ladies who supported him sold the chocolate sweet at fundraisers. His campaign…

When I first visited the US I was surprised that people would eat peanut butter with jelly in a sandwich. This happened when I asked what in the world PB&J meant. In Brazil we eat peanuts a little differently. They are sold roasted and still warm from street vendors who also sell it mixed with…

Literally translated ‘Limonada Suiça’ means ‘Swiss Lemonade’, but it is neither Swiss nor a lemonade, funny enough. If you are looking for a refreshing drink that is easy to prepare, look no further. ‘Limão‘ is the Portuguese word for both lemons and limes, hence the confusion. The original recipe called for condensed milk, which way back in the…

If you have been following our blog, you already know that Brazilians love anything made with condensed milk. I am no exception. You might have tried our Passion Fruit Mousse and we would like to show you how with the same base you can create any other fruit mousses just as easily. Brazilian style…

Brazilians LOVE anything coconut, and I am no exception. ‘Manjar Branco’ (Brazilian coconut pudding) was a favorite growing up in Rio, where the coconuts would literally fall onto our head if we were not careful. My parents home was a paradise of sorts, with all sorts of fruit trees growing all around. Good times. Simple,…

When I moved to California it was the first time I encountered avocados eaten as a savory dish. I was quite surprised and it took me a while to acquire the taste for guacamole, now one of my favorite dishes. Brazilians grow up eating avocados as a sweet treat. My grandmother and later my mother…

We have finally launched our Brazilian Cheese Bread Mix, so that you too can enjoy freshly made pão de queijo at home. We have sourced the hard to find ingredients for you, specifically the Brazilian sour manioc starch and sweet manioc starch (also tapioca starch) so that we would not compromise on the authentic recipe…

‘Bolinho de Aipim’ is a typical Brazilian bar snack that you will find all over the country. In Rio manioc is called ‘Aipim’, in other parts of the country it is called ‘mandioca’ or ‘macaxeira’. Many Brazilians prefer the manioc root over french fries. Manioc starch, the main ingredient in pão de queijo, is derived from…